Statement Press

Donor acknowledgment letter templates

An acknowledgment letter thanks a donor and gives them the record they need for their taxes. Here are five you can copy, each with the sentence the IRS requires. Replace everything in square brackets.

Updated October 2026

What every acknowledgment needs

  • Your organization's name
  • The amount, if the gift was money, or a description of the gift if it was not
  • A sentence saying whether the donor received any goods or services in return
  • The date of the gift, so the donor's record is complete

A donor needs this in writing for any single gift of $250 or more, and they need it before they file their tax return. Paper and email both count.

1. A gift of money

Gift of money
[Date]

Dear [Donor name],

Thank you for your gift of $[amount] to [Organization name], which we received on [date of gift].

No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.

[Organization name] is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our EIN is [00-0000000]. Please keep this letter with your tax records.

With thanks,

[Name]
[Title]

2. A gift that isn't money

For goods, stock and other property, describe the gift and leave the value out. The donor is responsible for valuing it.

Gift of property
[Date]

Dear [Donor name],

Thank you for your gift to [Organization name] of [description of the gift, for example "100 shares of XYZ Corporation common stock" or "an upright piano"], which we received on [date of gift].

No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.

This letter describes your gift and does not state its value. [Organization name] is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please keep this letter with your tax records.

With thanks,

[Name]
[Title]

Donated cars, boats and airplanes have their own rules and their own form. This template does not cover them.

3. A gift where the donor got something back

When a donor pays more than $75 and receives something in return, such as a dinner or an auction item, you have to tell them how much of the payment is deductible and give your estimate of the value of what they received.

Gift with something received
[Date]

Dear [Donor name],

Thank you for your payment of $[amount] to [Organization name] on [date of gift] for [event or item].

In exchange you received [description, for example "dinner for two"], with an estimated value of $[value]. The amount of your contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to $[amount minus value], which is what you paid minus the value of what you received.

[Organization name] is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please keep this letter with your tax records.

With thanks,

[Name]
[Title]

4. A gift to a church

Church gift
[Date]

Dear [Donor name],

Thank you for your gift of $[amount] to [Church name], which we received on [date of gift].

No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution other than intangible religious benefits.

Please keep this letter with your tax records.

With thanks,

[Name]
[Title]

5. A year-end summary

One letter can cover all of a donor's gifts for the year. List each gift with its date and amount, then the total.

Year-end summary
[Date]

Dear [Donor name],

Thank you for supporting [Organization name] in [year]. Our records show these gifts from you:

[Date of gift]     $[amount]
[Date of gift]     $[amount]
[Date of gift]     $[amount]

Total for [year]   $[total]

No goods or services were provided in exchange for these contributions.

[Organization name] is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please keep this letter with your tax records.

With thanks,

[Name]
[Title]

Skip the typing

For one gift, the free receipt generator fills in the letter and gives you a PDF. For a whole year, paste your spreadsheet into the statement maker and get a year-end summary for every donor at once.

Make year-end statements

Mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving out the goods-or-services sentence. Without it the letter does not do its job, however warm the thank-you.
  • Putting a value on a gift of property. Describe it and let the donor value it.
  • Thanking without the amount. “Thank you for your generous gift” is not enough for a gift of money.
  • Sending it late. An acknowledgment that arrives after the donor has filed their return is too late for that return.

Sources

This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. See what the IRS requires for the full rules.